At St. Pantaleon, a parish in downtown Cologne entrusted to priests of the Opus Dei Prelature, a Mass intended especially for young couples is celebrated on the first Monday of each month at eight in the evening. The time for Mass is unusual in Germany, but it provides many couples with the possibility of attending Mass together, something not easy on a week day. This is often not possible in the morning or afternoon, not only because of work but also because in Germany people usually have their evening meal quite early.

This initiative is in part a response to Pope Benedict XVI’s desire to make the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Churchbetter known. The topics of the successive chapters in the Compendium provide the material for the homilies at Mass. Thus those attending are encouraged to begin reading it on their own and to go more deeply into the Church’s teachings.

The present Pope, as did John Paul II, has also sought to encourage the custom of Eucharistic adoration. Before Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held, with an opportunity to receive the sacrament of Penance.

The “After Work” Mass has been very well received, and the Church is filled on each first Monday of the month.